A DEADLY brain infection has attacked a sports-mad schoolboy - leaving him fighting for life in an intensive care bed.

Keen cyclist Robert Stokes, 14, who loves football and helping his dad race pigeons, is now facing the possible amputation of some finger tips, and a skin graft to his right shin.

The bug, known as meningococcal infection which can lead to either meningitis or septicaemia, left Robert covered from head to toe in black bruising as a result of bacteria getting into his blood stream.

The Avondale High school pupil was struck down by the illness last Saturday night and has been drifting in and out of consciousness in Manchester's Pendlebury Children's Hospital ever since.

His father Geoff Stokes described the infection as "evil" and implored parents to be on their guard if their child becomes ill.

He added: "He could be in hospital for at least another month as he's had to go on a kidney dialysis machine. It's an evil thing and we wouldn't want anyone else to suffer from it."

Avondale School head teacher Eric Jackson said: "We followed advice from Dr David Baxter, consultant in communicable disease control, who said it wasn't necessary to treat other pupils, only those in close prolonged contact. We have sent out a letter to parents with a leaflet. No other pupils have had symptoms."

Geoff and his wife Joyce, 38, have been to visit their son with family every day. Geoff added: "He was more relaxed and comfortable when we spoke to the nurse on Monday night."

For further coverage of the meningitis scare, read the Stockport Express.